Publicis/Omnicom Merger Looks Less Likely Than Ever

If you were at all concerned about the pending holding company merger and the effects it might have on your business, you can join the principals at WPP in resting a little easier today. Analysts now say the chances of Publicis and Omnicom joining forces to win every account ever are less than even.

Earlier this week, WPP‘s Martin Sorrell gleefully told Reuters–via a little birdie–that the deal was about to fall through. Yesterday, The Wall Street Journal reported that analysts at Albert Fried had lowered the official odds to 40% (the previous number was 66%) while downgrading  the theoretical stock price from $70 to $56.

The fact that Publicis agencies recently lost Microsoft, Samsung and Miller Lite didn’t help; the defections have compounded risks created by a clashing of egos over the contested CFO role.

All